You may think it's a bit late to start planning your frugal Christmas - but be positive - there's plenty of time to start planning for Christmas 2013!
Frugal is not mean, miserly or miserable - it's being wise with your money to make it stretch further in the direction you want it to. It's a kind of game and if you're up for the challenge - you can get a bit of a buzz out of your bargains and your wheeling and dealing.

Thursday, 8 July 2010

Yes, yes - I know the temperatures are rocketing outside and none of us want to be sitting at our computers - but I feel this is a real oppportunity for frugal money-saving and, as such, not to be missed!Debenhams is having a sale (when aren't they, you may say) and I've been looking specifically at the Gifts and Toys section and it's worth an hour of your time. I've seen loads of great gifts and I've only gone up to £5! (I don't go beyond that figure).Here's how you do it. Just go to the Debenhams sale Gifts and Toys section (it's not all gifts and toys, by the way - there's clothing items, jewellery etc., as well) and make sure that you change the "Sort by" box (top right, under the Blue cross sale banner) to "Price (low-high)". This enables you to make sure you're not tempted by any high price stuff! I always make sure I don't go beyond £5 - that's my budget!Here's a few things I'm tempted by-Hello Kitty Mini frisbee £2.40, a Julien Macdonald Snake bangle £2.40, Ben de Lisi Hematite faceted stud earrings £2.50, I am Stig mug £3, Worlds Apart stunt kite £4, travel Monopoly and Cluedo £4 each, Jack Daniels whisky and hipflask set £4, Craghoppers insect repelling socks £4, Guinness slippers £4.50, Matthew Williamson girl's sequinned tie cardi £4.50-£5, Marvel Comics pen set in case £2.75 and more.There's loads of toys, candles, jewellery, colourful boxers, knickers, socks, t shirts, sweets and chocolates. Be quick the site is slow today and I wonder if that means it's very busy. A couple of items I spotted earlier already seem to have disappeared!Debenhams charge £3.99 for standard delivery (free to your local store), but I've come across this free delivery code SHD1 on a forum - it may well have ended- but there's no harm in giving it a try! You may just be lucky.